Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Birthday Week

Here it is. Age 40 hits me on Friday. I think I'm almost ready for it. Almost.

I decided to write out 40 little tidbits you may or may not know about me......
  1. I still call my Mom and Dad for advice....about anything. And I always listen carefully.
  2. When I was born, my Dad was in Vietnam. He first laid eyes on me when I was 6 months old.

  3. I love running in the pouring rain.

  4. I lived in Southern California when I was 22...alone.

  5. Home is my favorite place. After that, Wolf Neck (cottage on the ocean) is where I want to be.

  6. I went to UVM for my undergraduate degree.

  7. I went to Northeastern University to earn my Graduate degree.

  8. Two of my three children spent time in the Neonatal intensive care unit...

  9. I had surgery immediately following the birth of my first son & because it was successful, I was able to have more children.
  10. My 3rd son was born prematurely with an emergency C-section.

  11. I hate shopping unless there is something I specifically need. And then I make it quick.
  12. I rarely get manicures.
  13. I would rather go for a run.

  14. Unfriendly people drive me nuts.

  15. I am very loyal.

  16. I can't stand to empty the dishwasher but I don't mind vacuuming.

  17. I want to learn to play the drums & be in a rock band. Or, the play piano.

  18. I love singing and dancing......right boys?

  19. I have blonde hair for real....it's never been colored.

  20. My best events in college swimming were the 200fly and 200IM but my favorite events were always the relays.

  21. I love to sweat and work to the point of total exhaustion. To me, that feels good.

  22. I had skin cancer.
  23. When I was 25, a guy got out of his car, ran ahead to mine, and asked me out on a date while we were stopped at a red light.
  24. I've had surgery 6 times. Two of those were injuries I incurred from biking and running.

  25. I'm afraid of heights. I sometimes have to close my eyes and pray while I'm on the chairlift with my kids.

  26. Don't ever tell me I can't do something unless you want me to prove you wrong.

  27. I have an eye for photography.

  28. I think I might be a bit stubborn.

  29. I'm very emotional but rarely cry in front of others.

  30. There are several people who are no longer in my life that I miss very much.

  31. I'm 100% ok with the fact that I don't have a daughter....and yet sometimes I feel overwhelmingly outnumbered!

  32. I was more worried about leaving my kids to travel half way around the world than I was to actually race in Kona.

  33. I'm very proud of myself for becoming an Ironman this year. Twice.

  34. Sometimes I regret not getting that Nutrition degree or sticking with Physical Therapy when I was in college.

  35. I could never live more than an hour from the ocean.

  36. I am obsessed with good nutrition and yet I'll rarely turn down a cookie.

  37. I love learning new things.
  38. I was lost in the Badlands, South Dakota when I was 22. I was with 3 people. We were truly lost and I was sure we'd end up as a Reader's Digest story about the 'lost hikers.'
  39. I worry every single day whether or not I'm beign a good Mom to my three boys.
  40. I'm about to be 40 and I'm just as fit and strong as I was at age 20. In fact, I just might be stronger and more fit. I'm ready for 40 more years. Make that 50.

21 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Ange you sound like a great athlete. I just happen to find your blog because I was surfing the net to see how fast I should swim a 7000 yard work out. I swam it straight today in an hour and 50min. I am 47 and I have been swimming the past couple of years again. I am on face book my name is David Luckett in MI. I got involved in my first triathlon this summer and thanks to people like you and your blog you keep the sport exciting. Happy Birthday by the way. Thanks for sharing too. Look me up sometime. email: david_luckett2001@yahoo.com

MaineSport said...

I'm with you on 2, 3, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 33, 35, 40...and I bet yu can't do two ironamns in back-to-back weeks ;-)

Beth said...

Happpppy birthday Ange!! Loved reading your 40 facts. Can't wait to read the 90 facts in 50 more years... :) Enjoy your big day on Friday!

Kim said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (almost) ANGE! great little tidbits! cant wait to meet you this year.

Amanda said...

Happy early Birthday!! Great list. Great perspective.

GetBackJoJo said...

Oh yeah? But I was CONCEIVED when my dad was in VietNam! hahaha! No really, my mom came to Hawaii to meet him on a week break he had, and I was conceived then. He was home by the time of my birth and I was born in Fort Devens. We are just the VietNam baby generation, huh?
Loved your list, Ange.
I actually didn't know a few of those things--like about the dude who asked you out. That is so fun! But did you go out with him???? That is the factoid I want to know...

Jim Barry said...

Angela,

I love your blog and your storytelling. I think we have finished a few events within seconds of each other (Lobsterman 2008). Our Daughter Emma is friends with Emma Moll and we like their family a lot. We understand you are friends with them too. Smallish world. Good luck with this years training and racing.

Check out my triathlon bikes at www.valkyrie-cycles.com or on my facebook fan page (under valkyrie cycles). "Wicked" fast bikes.

Oh, and Happy Birthday.!40 is not bad and all. I'm just like 20 too, maybe better at 44 now.

Jim Barry

John said...

Great list Ange. Not sure I'm with you on #2 though. I will spend all day out competing in agility with my dogs in the rain, but running just to run? Not so much.

Jennifer Harrison said...

Ange! THIS IS SO fun...I have been thinking about you a TON this week as my bday approaches too and I am just right behind you (ahem, 1 year). ANYWAY, fun...

- NEVER colored your hair? OH MY GOSH love it!

- Afraid of heights? ME TOO!

- #36 - yep, I am the same way. Will never give up chocolate/cookies (homemade).

- I am a Vietnam baby too! Of course...all of us who are in this age range are...My dad was home when I was born but not much otherwise....

2 more days! ENJOY your big birthday and weekend....and turning 40 - ah, we'll beg for 40 soon enough.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Judi said...

i'll be there with you in a few months....it's ok! 40 is the new 20, ok? and you look incredible.

Bob Turner said...

Great post! Happy 40th!

Running and living said...

Such a great list! Your 40s are going to be awesome!

X-Country2 said...

Happy birthday!

GoBigGreen said...

How fun! thanks for sharing all that with us!
I hate shopping too and when you see my nails you will see that I will paint my toes to hide how bad they look...um...Lemmon...hmm...we may have to figure out how to get you down that bad boy!
Happy 40th!

Marni Sumbal, MS, RD said...

I love it!!! Happy birthday! I know it will be wonderful. You don't look a day over 30 :)
-marn

rungirl said...

Happy Birthday and thank you for leaving my age group!

This makes me want to post a list about myself. Fun.

BreeWee said...

I want to wish you a happy birthday (a day early). I HOPE your 40th year is amazing....

as for the coach switch, it was totally the best thing for me at this point in my life, I lost a lot of confidence in being able to race and lost some passion too, my new coach is helping me find that balance with sport, living life to the most, and gaining back my confidence... im so thankful.

Enough of that.... your turn to rock in roll through your 40th birthday... HAVE a GREAT day!

Trigirlpink said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 40 is the new 30 don't cha know.
I think I have to go do a google search on Wolf Neck.

Happy training!

Michelle said...

Being I'm a veteran 40 year old, I can say that you feel the same as you did when you were 39! It also helps to have a big party and celebrate the occasion!
BTW, I have you to thank for helping me find a new coach. I always read your rave reviews on Jennifer Harrison and needed a new coach this year. Guess what? She's my new coach.
Rock On!

Running and living said...

I love this list. It's wonderful to get a glimpse at your personal life. It's amazing how over 75% of what you listed applies to me. But, I am not an Ironman and I do color my hair:) Have a blast in your 40s! You look awesome!

TriGirl Kate O said...

I hope you had the most awesome birthday! Welcome to the club.